What are Memphis Public Records?
Per the Tennessee Public Records Law, Memphis public records refer to any document created or received by city officials and employees concerning city business - except where restricted by law. Memphis public records may be physical, handwritten documents or may take the form of digital files created on a computer and transmitted electronically. Not all Memphis records are public records, and not all portions of public records are available for public view. By state law, confidential records include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Medical records of patients in government-run medical facilities
- Investigative records belonging to local law enforcement
- All files belonging to the drivers’ license issuance division and the handgun carry permit division of the department of safety.
- Records of students in public institutions
- Certain personal information of law enforcement officers
- Official health certificates
- Investigative records and reports of the department of child services
Memphis Crime Statistics
The Memphis City Police department collates records of all crimes and arrests that occur in the city and makes those records available to the public. In 2016, the department reported 11,947 violent crimes and 36,988 property crimes. Among Memphis’ 656,434 residents, the police department reported 24,604 cases of larceny-theft, 9,150 burglaries, 387 arson cases, 186 murders, 534 rapes, and 8,029 cases of aggravated assault. These crime numbers rose over two years. In 2018, the police department reported a total of 12,674 violent crimes and 41,779 property crimes. Reports of larceny-theft were reduced by 8007, while aggravated assaults dropped by 918.
Are Memphis Criminal Records Public?
Per the Tennessee Public Records Law, Memphis criminal records are public property. Interested parties may request criminal background records from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation office, the central storehouse for criminal history information in Memphis City and the state. The TBI processes public requests made online or by mail and charges $29 per request.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation - TORIS
901.R.S. Gass Blvd,
Nashville, TN 37216
TelePhone: (615) 744-4057
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Central Records department of the Memphis City Police Department maintains all police reports and arrest records and makes them available to public members. Interested parties may request Memphis police reports in person, by telephone, fax, or by mail. For Tennessee residents who present ID, the cost of a police report is 15 cents per page. Non-residents must pay $15 per report, while reports requested by fax or email cost $15. The Central Records Division is open from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CENTRAL RECORDS
170 North Main St.
7th Floor, Suite 7-11
Memphis, TN 38103
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Memphis
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation maintains a record of all convicted sex offenders in Memphis City and the state. These records are available on the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry. Interested public members can view Memphis sex offenders’ details, such as names, aliases, images, and physical descriptors. The site also allows interested persons to sign up for email notifications when new sex offenders come into the neighborhood and accept public information to find sex offenders who violate the terms of their release.
How to Find Memphis Inmate Records
Convicted offenders in Memphis City serve time in the Shelby County Jail. Individuals interested in obtaining Memphis inmate records may query the Shelby County Sheriff's online database. The database contains details of all persons currently incarcerated in Shelby County Jail, and users can search by name, date of birth, or booking number.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Memphis Jail?
Every individual interested in visiting an inmate at Shelby County Jail must fill out this visitor application form and provide a valid email address. The approved visitation schedule is available online. Inmates may receive a maximum of two adult and three child visitors during a given time. Visitors may only see one inmate per visitation - unless the other inmate is a blood relative. All adult visitors must present one of the following forms of identification:
- Driver’s license
- State-Issued Photo ID
- Passport
- Military ID
Adults must accompany any minors and are responsible for keeping them in order and within the specified visitation area. Visitors will be allowed an opportunity for a brief embrace or kiss at the beginning or end of the visit. At other times, prison staff will not permit:
- Visitors or inmates leaning or lying across one another.
- Cuddling, massaging, or fondling
- Exposing sensitive body parts
- Using hostile or vulgar language
- Disrupting other visitors’ experiences
- Sitting on another person’s legs.
Visitors are encouraged to dress comfortably in clothes that fit. Visitors may not wear skimpy or torn clothes that do not cover sensitive body parts. Visitors are only allowed to wear one ring, one watch, and a small pair of earrings.
Court Records
Memphis City is a part of Shelby County. The Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk’s Office provides the public with various Memphis court records like civil records and criminal records. In contrast, the Memphis City Court Clerk’s Office provides records of traffic violations and debt recovery cases.
Locations of Courts in Memphis City
Shelby County Circuit Court
140 Adams Avenue,
Room 324,
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3800
Fax: (901) 222-3818
Shelby County Chancery Court
140 Adams Avenue,
Room 308, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3900
Fax: (901) 222-3909
Shelby County Criminal Court
201 Poplar Avenue,
Suite 4-01,
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3200
Shelby County General Sessions Court
201 Poplar Avenue,
Suite LL-126,
Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: (901) 222-3600
Fax: (901) 222-3501
Shelby County General Sessions Court - Civil
140 Adams Avenue,
Room 106,
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3400
Fax: (901) 222-3413
Shelby County General Sessions Court - Criminal
201 Poplar Avenue,
Suite LL-81,
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3500
Fax: (901) 222-3597
Shelby County General Sessions Court - Hickory Hill Office
3768 South Hickory Ridge Mall,
Suite 514,
Memphis, TN 38115
Phone: (901) 222-3667
Fax: (901) 222-3670
Shelby County General Sessions Court - Mullins Station Office
1075 Mullins Station Road,
Room W 115,
Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: (901) 222-7900
Fax: (901) 222-7904
Shelby County Juvenile Court
616 Adams Avenue,
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-0600
Fax: (901) 222-0536
Shelby County Probate Court
140 Adams Avenue,
Room 124,
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3750
Fax: (901) 222-3756
Memphis City Court
201 Poplar Avenue,
Suite LL-80,
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 636-3400
Fax: (901) 636-3457
Are Memphis Court Records Public?
By Tennessee state law, most Memphis court records are public property. However, the law prevents the public from accessing confidential documents. Confidential records typically include:
- Criminal cases involving children
- Child dependency cases
- Child custody cases
- Cases currently being tried in court
Can You Look Up a Memphis Court Case Online?
The Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk provides online access to court records through its Case Inquiries page. Interested parties may search for civil and criminal case records by case number. The portal also allows users to search for court records by person name, business name, or case type.
How to Obtain Memphis Civil Court Records
The Civil Section of the Shelby County General Sessions Court maintains records of all civil cases and makes them available to the public. Interested persons may obtain Memphis civil cases online, in person, or by mail. To get a civil court case in person, interested persons may visit the courthouse Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Shelby County General Sessions Court - Civil
140 Adams Avenue,
Room 106,
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3400
Fax: (901) 222-3413
How to Obtain Memphis Criminal Court Records
The Criminal Section of the Shelby County General Sessions Court maintains records of all civil cases and makes them available to the public. Interested persons may obtain Memphis civil cases using the Shelby Criminal Justice System Portal, in person, or by fax. To get a criminal court record in person, interested individuals may visit the courthouse Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Shelby County General Sessions Court - Criminal
201 Poplar Avenue,
Suite LL-81,
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3500
Fax: (901) 222-3597
What are Memphis Vital Records?
In Memphis City, vital records refer to official documents created to note the occurrence of life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and marital dissolutions. Most Memphis vital records are publicly available. Interested requesters can obtain vital records by applying to the custodian agency.
Where and How to Obtain Memphis Divorce Records
In Memphis City, the Shelby County Circuit Court and the Chancery Court grant divorce decrees and make certified copies available to the public. Interested individuals that wish to obtain certified copies of divorce decrees must visit the Shelby County Courthouse. To find a copy of the desired record, requesters must provide as many details as possible, including:
- The divorcee’s names
- The case ID or number
- The divorce date
- The divorce location: Circuit or Chancery court
The cost of certified copies of Memphis divorce records is $5, plus 50 cents per page. Requesters may visit the Shelby County Courthouse from Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Shelby County Courthouse
140 Adams Avenue,
Room B48 (in the basement)
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3808 (Circuit)
Phone: (901) 222-3900 (Chancery)
The Shelby County Recorder's Office also holds a copy of the Chancery Court Divorce Index from 1945-1997 and makes it publicly available online. Interested parties may also visit the Shelby County Archives to find copies of Memphis divorce records.
Shelby County Archives
980A Nixon Drive
Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: (901) 222-8175
Fax: (901) 222-8177
Where and How to Get Memphis Marriage Records
Memphis marriage records are public documents. The Shelby County Court Clerk issues marriage licenses and provides copies to interested persons. Individuals that wish to obtain certified copies of marriage records may visit any of the following offices in person:
Downtown
150 Washington Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103
Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Shelby East Complex
1075 Mullins Station Road
Memphis, TN 38103
Monday through Friday - 9:00 a.m - 5:15 p.m.
Millington
4836 Navy Road
Memphis, TN 38103
Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m - 4:15 p.m.
Certified copies of marriage records cost $10. If ordering by mail, requesters must include a written request with the couple’s names and the exact marriage date and a money order.
Shelby County Clerk
Att: Marriage Department, Suite 201
150 Washington Ave.
Memphis, TN 38103
The Shelby County Recorder's Office also holds a copy of the Chancery Court Marriage Index from 1920-1989 and marriage records from 1820 - 1977. Interested parties may also visit the Shelby County Archives to find copies of Memphis marriage records.
Shelby County Archives
980A Nixon Drive
Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: (901) 222-8175
Fax: (901) 222-8177
Where and How to Get Memphis Birth Records
Memphis birth records are available from the Vital Records division of the Shelby County Health Department. Interested individuals may obtain certified copies of birth certificates online, or from the Vital Records office in person. To apply, interested persons must fill out this birth certificate application form and pay a $15 fee. The Vital Records office is open between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.
Office of Vital Records
Room 101
814 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105
Where and How to Get Memphis Death Records
Memphis death records are available to eligible requesters from the Vital Records division of the Shelby County Health Department. By law, eligible requesters are the deceased person’s:
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents/Guardian
- Authorized next of kin
- Legal representatives
- Informant named on the death certificate
Eligible individuals may obtain certified copies of death certificates online, or from the Vital Records office in person. To apply, interested persons must fill out this death certificate application form and pay a $15 fee. The Vital Records office is open between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.
Office of Vital Records
Room 101
814 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38105
